The concept of the neighborhood bar developed in Europe in the 1600s. The local watering hole became the meeting place for townspeople who would gather most nights after dinner to discuss the happenings of the day while sharing a pint or two. As Europeans immigrated to the States they brought with them this tradition. Small taverns (corner bars) began popping up all over the place. Every town has one or two that have reached legendary status and certainly Little Bo’s (aka L’il Bo’s) in Traverse City is in that category. Little Bo’s’ storied past has set the stage for them to be “Best Monday Night Hang Out” in Traverse City. But if General Manager Sal Capone (no relation to gangster Al, who once enjoyed a hot dog at Little Bo’s) has a say, Little Bo’s will be a favorite hangout every night. “We really want to become that neighborhood bar again,” said Capone. “We may have won for best hangout on Monday, but since we reopened last fall we have become busy every night.”
UPGRADE Little Bo’s closed down a year ago as owners Ed Freund and his sister Nancy decided to close the popular establishment and renovate it. “It really needed it. This place was in pretty bad shape,” said Freund. “Not only aesthetically but with some of the customers. We were getting a reputation for fights and people selling drugs. The only way to eliminate that element was to shut down and remodel and then to reopen with a new image and to get back to our roots as a neighborhood bar where families feel welcome.” Those “family roots” developed when Little Bohemia (its original name) opened as a hot dog stand in the early 1900s. After prohibition original owner Frank Kucurea converted the stand into a neighborhood tavern and Saturday nights quickly became the meeting place for the Bohemian community that had settled on the west side of Traverse City a neighborhood affectionately known as “Slab Town.” Little Bohemia reached international acclaim when golfing legend Walter Hagen moved to Traverse City in the late 1950s. The Haig took up residence on Long Lake and was a notorious drinker (legend has it that he often drank while playing) who didn’t like to drink alone. So he took up Little Bo’s as his second home. As he traveled the world and people asked him where he lived he often replied “at Little Bo’s in Traverse City.”
ARNOLD PALMER The Haig usually came in daily and held court. He once even called Arnold Palmer from the bar phone. Palmer had just walked off the course at the British Open. “The biggest thrill I got when I set a British Open record of 276 strokes at Troon, was to have Walter Hagen phone me from Little Bo’s in Traverse City to congratulate me,” said Palmer. “I didn’t even know The Haig knew I was alive until then. So when I went to Traverse City to honor him near the end of his life I had to go and visit this place he called his home.” During the ‘70s and ‘80s Little Bo’s was a popular hangout. Located near Munson Hospital, it was a popular place for the medical community. Wednesday’s were legendary with the shot and beer for a buck. Fruend isn’t sure exactly when it happened but the popular watering hole started taking a turn south. “It got to the point where a guy didn’t feel comfortable bringing his wife in here,” said Freund. “Those days are gone for good.” The first thing Freund did was to hire Sal Capone as their general manager. Capone, originally from New York City, has a 25-year track record in the food and beverage business and a taste for Italian food. The new dinner menu will launch April 1 and it will have an eclectic feel to it. “Certainly there will be some items inspired by my Italian heritage but we have brought in a chef with a diverse culinary background so our menu and specials will feature a wide range of culinary traditions,” said Capone. “What people are finding out is we are offering quality meals at affordable pub prices.”
NEW CHEF That chef creating the culinary masterpieces is Micah Lovett, a recent graduate of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. Lovett brings with him a wealth of fine dining experience that included a stint as the sous chef at the famed Spencer Creek Landing in Alden. Capone wants to be connected to the local community. His wife is originally from the Leelanau Peninsula, so Capone is aware of the regions rich agricultural heritage. “We will be connecting with local farmers and using fresh produce,” said Capone. “Also when we launch our new menu we will be featuring local wines.” In the meantime, Little Bo’s is winning back customers. They have managed to remodel the place while keeping the personality of the past while making it look more contemporary. Capone said they plan to keep the place clean on all counts. “It is important that our customers feel comfortable,” said Capone. “People love it. Those who don’t are the ones we didn’t want back.” While Little Bo’s took home the honor for “Best Monday Night Hangout” in Grand Traverse for their popular jazz night, crowds have been steady on other nights. Tuesday night is Karaoke, Wednesday is customer appreciate night where Capone and Lovett have been offering complimentary samples of entrees from the forthcoming new dinner menu. Thursday nights is open mic night and on Saturday’s they offer live entertainment. “On Thursday nights it is like a concert in here,” said Capone. “The talent is unbelievable. I use all local talent on Saturdays and pick it from Thursday night’s open mic night.”
NEW PLANS When the good weather hits they will have outside seating. Capone is also excited about launching “family style” dining on Sunday’s with the large bowls of pasta and other family friendly dishes. So what do the customers think? A recent stop on a Wednesday night turned up some pretty positive comments. “We love it in here,” said Paul and Mary Clark. “We quit coming here but friends told us that the place had changed. We really feel comfortable and the food is unbelievable. Tonight we enjoyed perch picatta, linguine with white clam sauce and the gnocchis. They all were wonderful.” Little Bohemia is back. There are reminders of the past with a focus on the future. The walls are filled with subtle reminders of days gone by, while the new furniture and wood floor create a contemporary look with an old corner bar feel to it. The food is exquisite and the service is impeccable. If you quit going in to Little Bo’s, it’s time to go back. If you never have been, it’s time to give it them a try.
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